Stem Cell Research & Therapy•2025•DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04621-x
Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from umbilical cord blood (UCB) exhibit significant therapeutic efficacy in endometriosis; however, the molecular mechanisms governing their regulation remain incompletely elucidated. This study delves into the regulatory functions of miR-210-3p and miR-31-5p, which are secreted via exosomes from hypoxia-damaged endometrial epithelial cells, in modulating the behavior of UCB-MSCs. Methods UCB-MSCs were transfected with specific inhibitors targeting miR-210-3p and miR-31-5p. Proliferation and migratory capacities were quantified using CCK8, EdU incorporation, Transwell, and scratch wound healing assays. Western blotting was employed to assess the expression of endometrial epithelial markers (CD9 and CK19) and stromal markers (Vimentin and CD13), alongside the phosphorylation status of JAK2 and STAT3. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to validate SDF2 and FGF7 as direct targets of miR-210-3p and miR-31-5p, respectively. Results Suppression of miR-210-3p and miR-31-5p significantly augmented the proliferative and migratory abilities of UCB-MSCs, while simultaneously enhancing their differentiation into endometrial epithelial cells and attenuating their transition into stromal cells. Concurrently, the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were markedly elevated. Overexpression of SDF2 and FGF7 further amplified the proliferative, migratory, and epithelial differentiation capacities of UCB-MSCs, accompanied by heightened activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Notably, SDF2 overexpression and FGF7 overexpression effectively counteracted the inhibitory effects exerted by miR-210-3p and miR-31-5p mimics on UCB-MSC proliferation, migration, and epithelial differentiation, mediated through the modulation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Conclusion miR-210-3p and miR-31-5p orchestrate the functional dynamics of UCB-MSCs by targeting SDF2 and FGF7, respectively, through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. These findings unveil novel mechanistic insights into the regenerative potential of UCB-MSCs, offering promising avenues for therapeutic advancements in endometriosis.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025233
This is a corrigendum to the article 'Caveolin-1-deficient fibroblasts promote migration, invasion, and stemness by activating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in breast cancer cells' published in Acta Biochim Biophys Sin 54: 1587–1598. The authors identified inaccuracies in the preparation of several figures (Figure 2D, 4A, and 5A) and have replaced them with corrected versions. The errors are strictly confined to figure presentation and do not impact the underlying data, statistical analysis, or main conclusions. The authors apologize for the oversight.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024097
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant phospholipid in mammalian cells, accounting for approximately 50% of all phospholipids and serving as a main component of cellular and subcellular membranes. PC is a mixture of many species with distinct functions, and its levels are altered in cancer. Previous studies have shown contradictory roles of PC in cancer development. Here, we investigated the effects of PC and its main component, 1,2-dilinoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLPC), on mouse colon cancer MC38 cells. PC dose-dependently decreased cell viability, and DLPC was identified as the active component. DLPC inhibited MC38 cell growth more effectively than PC, while structurally similar PCs with different acyl chain lengths or unsaturation degrees did not. This suggests that the specific structure of DLPC is crucial for its activity. Further mechanistic studies revealed that DLPC induces ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, in cancer cells. These findings highlight DLPC as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment and underscore the importance of studying individual PC species.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2024•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024048
Bone cancer pain (BCP), due to cancer bone metastasis and bone destruction, is a common symptom of tumors, including breast, prostate, and lung tumors. Patients often experience severe pain without effective treatment. Here, using a mouse model of bone cancer, we report that MOTS-c, a novel mitochondrial-derived peptide, confers remarkable protection against cancer pain and bone destruction. Briefly, we find that the plasma level of endogenous MOTS-c is significantly lower in the BCP group than in the sham group. Accordingly, intraperitoneal administration of MOTS-c robustly attenuates bone cancer-induced pain. These effects are blocked by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. Furthermore, MOTS-c treatment significantly enhances AMPKα1/2 phosphorylation. Interestingly, mechanical studies indicate that at the spinal cord level, MOTS-c relieves pain by restoring mitochondrial biogenesis, suppressing microglial activation, and decreasing the production of inflammatory factors, which directly contribute to neuronal modulation. However, in the periphery, MOTS-c protects against local bone destruction by modulating osteoclast and immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment, providing long-term relief from cancer pain. Additionally, we find that chronic administration of MOTS-c has little effect on liver, renal, lipid or cardiac function in mice. In conclusion, MOTS-c improves BCP through peripheral and central synergistic effects on nociceptors, immune cells, and osteoclasts, providing a pharmacological and biological rationale for the development of mitochondrial peptide-based therapeutic agents for cancer-induced pain.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21237
BACKGROUND: Ferroptosis is an important pathological mechanism in spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. Although studies have confirmed that prostaglandin E1 attenuates cerebral microvascular endothelial cell injury in the hippocampus induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, its effect on ferroptosis of endothelial cells after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury remains poorly studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether prostaglandin E1 pretreatment attenuates spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting ferroptosis in endothelial cells and to elucidate possible mechanisms. METHODS: (1) Cell experiment: Rat spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells were divided into four groups. Control group was cultured under normoxia (20% O2) with complete medium. Model group was subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 3 hours (hypoxia chamber with 95% N2 and 5% CO2, glucose-free serum-free medium) followed by reoxygenation for 12 hours (normoxia, complete medium) to simulate spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. Pretreatment group received prostaglandin E1 for 2 hours after OGD and before reoxygenation. Inhibitor group received ML385 (Nrf2 inhibitor) for 2 hours after OGD, then prostaglandin E1 for 2 hours, followed by reoxygenation for 12 hours. After treatment, intracellular malondialdehyde, glutathione, and Fe2+ levels were measured; cell viability was assessed by CCK-8; immunofluorescence staining and western blot were used to detect ACSL4 and GPX4 expression; flow cytometry measured reactive oxygen species; western blot detected Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. (2) Animal experiment: 45 rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group (n=15) underwent laparotomy without aortic occlusion; model group (n=15) underwent occlusion of abdominal aorta for 30 minutes followed by tail vein injection of saline, then reperfusion; pretreatment group (n=15) underwent occlusion for 30 minutes followed by tail vein injection of prostaglandin E1, then reperfusion. At 24 hours after reperfusion, motor function and neuronal injury were assessed by BBB score, inclined plane test, and Nissl staining; blood-spinal cord barrier integrity and microvascular density were evaluated by spinal cord water content, immunofluorescence staining of ZO-1, and CD34 immunohistochemistry; ferroptosis in spinal cord tissue was assessed by immunofluorescence, Prussian blue staining, western blot, and biochemical assays. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Cell experiment: OGD/reoxygenation reduced cell viability, induced ferroptosis, and downregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression in rat spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells. Prostaglandin E1 pretreatment inhibited these effects; ML385 partially reversed the protective effect of prostaglandin E1. (2) Animal experiment: Prostaglandin E1 pretreatment alleviated motor dysfunction, neuronal injury, and blood-spinal cord barrier damage, improved microvascular density, and inhibited ferroptosis in spinal cord tissue after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. (3) These results indicate that prostaglandin E1 pretreatment protects against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis in endothelial cells.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21327
BACKGROUND: Currently, the research on the fatigue elimination effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy mainly involves two forms: single-session intervention and periodic multiple intervention, with the application research of single therapy being the main focus. However, the effectiveness of single-session hyperbaric oxygen therapy on exercise-induced fatigue remains controversial, affecting its application in sports training. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the intervention effect of a single hyperbaric oxygen therapy on exercise-induced fatigue from two aspects: the commonly used biochemical monitoring indicators and physiological monitoring indicators for exercise-induced fatigue, and proposes corresponding application strategies based on the current research status and training practice. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang) and English databases (PubMed) using combinations of keywords such as 'hyperbaric oxygenation', 'micro-barometric oxygen', 'oxygen therapy', 'micro-hyperbaric oxygen' with 'exercise fatigue', 'high intensity exercise', 'heart rate', 'heart rate variability', 'rating of perceived exertion', 'blood urea', 'creatine kinase', 'testosterone', 'cortisol', 'white blood cell', 'hemoglobin'. The search period was from January 2001 to June 2025, and 62 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Single-session hyperbaric oxygen intervention can promote the elimination of exercise-induced fatigue, but its intervention effect on commonly used physiological monitoring indicators is better than that on biochemical indicators. The differences in fatigue type and fatigue degree (differences in fatigue induction protocols), insufficient dosage of hyperbaric oxygen, and metabolic characteristics of biochemical indicators in the body may be the main factors causing this issue. (2) In view of the current research status, it is recommended that future research should be conducted in the following directions: 'comprehensively comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different hyperbaric oxygen modes', 'deeply comparing the intervention effects of different hyperbaric oxygen intervention times on exercise-induced fatigue', 'clarifying the intervention effect of single-session hyperbaric oxygen therapy during non-acute exercise fatigue period', and 'establishing a comprehensive evaluation index system for the intervention effect of hyperbaric oxygen'.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21344
BACKGROUND: Neural stem cells located in the ventricular zone and subventricular zone are crucial for cortical neurodevelopment and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, their precise regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. miRNA-9 is one of the most abundantly expressed miRNAs in the vertebrate embryonic and adult brain, playing diverse roles during development. Nevertheless, the role of miR-9 in neural stem cell differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of miR-9 in regulating the differentiation of neural stem cells in the ventricular zone and subventricular zone. METHODS: Neural stem cells were isolated from the ventricular zone and subventricular zone of embryonic day 14.5 ICR mice and cultured in proliferation medium for 3-4 days to form neurospheres. Stemness was identified by Pax6/Nestin immunofluorescence double staining. The expression profile of miR-9 was detected by qRT-PCR in telencephalon tissues at embryonic days 12.5, 14.5, 16.5, 18.5 and postnatal days 0, 7, as well as in embryonic day 14.5 neural stem cells cultured in vitro. Neural stem cells were transfected with miR-9 inhibitor or mimic using transfection reagents. After 24 hours, cells were differentiated for 3-4 days (neurons) and 6-8 days (glial cells). The differentiation of each lineage was quantified by immunofluorescence staining for Tuj1 (neuronal marker), myelin basic protein (oligodendrocyte marker), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (astrocyte marker). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: qRT-PCR results showed that miR-9 was highly expressed in early embryonic telencephalon (E12.5-E14.5) and gradually decreased with development (E16.5 to P7). In E14.5 neural stem cells, miR-9 expression level was close to 90% of the internal reference RNU6B. Functional experiments showed that compared with the control group, the miR-9 inhibition group had decreased proportions of Tuj1-positive neurons and myelin basic protein-positive oligodendrocytes, while the proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes increased. Conversely, the miR-9 overexpression group had increased proportions of Tuj1-positive neurons and myelin basic protein-positive oligodendrocytes, and decreased proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes, with significant differences (P < 0.001). These results indicate that miR-9 plays a bidirectional regulatory role in neural stem cell differentiation: (1) It participates in the temporal regulation of neurogenesis through developmental stage-specific expression patterns (high early, downregulated later); (2) It maintains the balance of trilineage differentiation by promoting neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation while inhibiting astrocyte generation.
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research•2026•DOI: 10.12307/2026.21469
BACKGROUND: Currently, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology, with its controllable multi-scale structure and functional integration design capabilities, has become a cutting-edge solution for tendon tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE: To systematically summarize the latest research progress of 3D bioprinting technology in tendon repair. METHODS: Using the keywords “3D printing, bioink, myotendinous junction, tendon repair, tendon-bone junction, bionic scaffold,” literature searches were conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases, as well as in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) with the same keywords. Articles with weak relevance to the topic were excluded, and 109 articles were ultimately included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 3D bioprinting technology, through multi-material integration and controllable biomimetic structural design, effectively reproduces the multi-level structure of tendons. Mainstream technologies (such as melt electrowriting, extrusion-based printing, etc.) play differentiated advantages in fiber alignment, interface simulation, and dynamic regulation, constructing mechanical transition layers at the muscle-tendon interface and four-zone gradient structures at the tendon-bone interface. Functionalized bioink innovations (immunomodulatory materials, cross-species oxygen-supplying scaffolds, etc.) and multi-technology synergy (aligned fiber deposition + photocuring reinforcement) enhance scaffold bioactivity and mechanical-biological coupling. In the full healing cycle (support in the inflammatory phase, guidance in the proliferative phase, regulation in the remodeling phase), precise intervention from molecular to macroscopic levels is achieved, optimizing collagen alignment and repair mechanical properties. Differentiated repair strategies (multi-material gradients, aligned fibers, gradient scaffolds) for the muscle-tendon interface, tendon body, and tendon-bone interface have made progress. Despite challenges such as resolution-efficiency contradictions and insufficient material matching, 3D printing technology still provides new strategies for tendon repair from structural biomimicry to functional regeneration. In the future, the integration of intelligent materials (photothermal/piezoelectric) and multimodal technologies (4D printing, organoids) is expected to promote dynamic functional regeneration and provide technical references for interface repair.
Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica•2025•DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2025233
This corrigendum addresses inaccuracies in three figure panels from the original article (Acta Biochim Biophys Sin 54: 1587–1598, doi: 10.3724/abbs.2022150). The authors identified that Figure 2D was mislabeled during preparation, Figure 4A contained an incorrect image due to a processing error, and Figure 5A was mistakenly replaced during final compilation. Corrected versions of these panels are provided. The authors confirm that these errors are confined to figure presentation and do not affect the underlying data, statistical analyses, or the main conclusions of the study. The original research demonstrated that caveolin-1 (CAV-1)-deficient fibroblasts promote migration, invasion, and stemness in breast cancer cells (BCCs) via activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Key experimental methods included Western blot for CAV-1 expression, scratch wound healing assays for migration, Transwell assays for migration and invasion, immunofluorescence and ELISA for TGF-β1 detection, and Western blot for EMT/stemness markers. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. This corrigendum ensures the accuracy of the scientific record and maintains the integrity of the reported findings.